Anatomy and Distribution of NPY Immunoreactive Neurons of the Cerebellum in Silky Fowl

In order to investigate the cytoarchitecture and localization of neuropeptide Y(NPY) immunoreactive neurons in silky fowl cerebellum, the cerebellums of ten silky fowls were studied by paraffin consecutive sections, HE and the immunohistochemical SABC staining method (StreptAvidin-Biotin complex) and compared with that of Pekin, meat pigeon, local chick, African ostrich. Cytoarchitecture of the cerebellar cortex and central nuclei, and then the distribution of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons were observed under the light microscope. The results show as follows:①there are three layers in the cerebellar cortex of silky fowl including molecular layer,Purkinye cell layer and granular layer from outside to inside;②there are ten lobules in cerebellum including two or three cerebellar folia every lobule, except thatⅠ,Ⅱand Ⅹis only one; ③there are a few neurons in cerebellar central nuclei;④immunoreactive neurons of NPY in silky fowl cerebellum are mainly located in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellar cortex, which is not found in molecular layer, granular layer and cerebellar central nuclei.The results of the present study indicate that morphology and cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum in silky fowl is similar to other domestic fowls; the localization of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons in silky fowl cerebellar cortex is similar to that of chick, meat pigeon and rat, but, in cerebellar white matter is different from that of meat pigeon.